Sawmill woodchipings for horses

[lucym]

a lady at the yard was considering visiting a local sawmill to collect woodshavings for the horses.
is this a wise plan, or is there hidden complications?
just wondered whether anyone used them?
thanks

 

[Louby]

Yes I used them a few years ago but it didnt last long. My dad used to go and get me bags of shavings from a woodmill, at first I was really grateful but one day I found a large bent nail when I was mucking out, it really scared me. The shavings were clean and lovely and my dad said there was no way the nail could have got through the machine so I used them again but sort of sived through them as I was paranoid. I found pieces of sharp bent metal, nails etc and never used them again. Dad wouldnt have it and kept bringing them for me but as soon as he'd gone I'd put them on the muck heap

 

[wizoz]

You also have to be careful if the wood has been treated, horse may have an allergic reaction to it. Just a thought

 

[blackcob]

I tried this for a while but found them far too dusty, though I suppose it depends on what kind of machine they use to grade the chippings.

 

[Fiona]

When I had just the one horse I did this for years, as mum worked for the cpy that owned the sawmill. They made wooden pallets, and had a planing machine that made the biggest fluffiest woodshavings ever - they were great. I bagged these up myself, but could also lift bags of sawdust as well if I wanted, which was useful for the base of the bed as I used a weekly semi deep litter system at that stage.

I never found any sort of nail or metal in them ever, the nailing together was probably done in a completely different part of the building, and I had the firmest nicest bed (in a 16ft sq stable).

Go for it and give them a try. If the shavings are horrible you don't have to go back for more.

Fiona

 

[Marnie]

We use willow sawdust from the local cricket bat factory and it is great - it is more damp than most woods and so isn't dusty but makes a lovely absorbent bed that is really easy to muck out.

I have used 'normal' wood sawdust / shavings from a sawmill and found them very dusty.

 

[Tiggy1]

I use them and have had no problem.
They are much bigger flakes than the bought ones and I would say give it a go